The Ministry of Industry and the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA) conducted an online briefing on halal certification for approximately 150 representatives from small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) targeting exports to Indonesia and Malaysia on July 21.
This briefing was organized to improve understanding of the halal certification system, which has been a concern for Korean companies entering the Southeast Asian market. It addressed practical challenges faced by businesses and aimed to alleviate these issues.
Specifically, starting from October 2026, halal certification will be mandatory for imported goods such as food and cosmetics in Indonesia. As halal certification transitions from a voluntary to a necessary process for K-consumer goods exporters, local experts provided insights into halal certification procedures and addressed queries from attendees.
KOTRA's FTA Overseas Utilization Support Center participated in the event to explain the halal certification systems of both Indonesia and Malaysia, as well as detail halal mutual recognition methods through domestic halal certification bodies. The briefing included information on government-export voucher programs that support certification costs, providing practical assistance to companies.
The Ministry of Industry plans to maintain communication channels similar to this briefing to proactively identify business challenges arising from local regulatory changes. Based on these insights, it aims to implement tailored support policies that reflect the needs of companies.
Park Geun-oh, Director of the Trade Agreement Policy Division, stated that "active preparation for region-specific certifications like halal certification is a key factor in determining the international competitiveness of our exporting companies in the face of rapid changes in the international trade environment and increasing trade barriers." He added that efforts will continue to expand support activities that SMEs can tangibly benefit from, enabling Korean companies to successfully establish themselves in the Southeast Asian market.
